Jack Daniel’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the spirit world. There have been a number of songs written about it, from David Allen Coe’s Jack Daniel’s If You Please to the more recent Sex Slaves’ Thank god for Jack Daniel’s. When you think whiskey, you probably think Jack Daniel’s. However, most of the fame is enjoyed by the original “Old No. 7″. Fortunately for drinkers around the world, No. 7 has a better-aged and more refined sibling, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel.
The first thing you notice when you get your hands on a bottle is the awesome deep red amber color of this spirit, that is if you are into judging a liquor by its color. Unfortunately, for us at BoozeBasher, we couldn’t care less what our liquor looks like. We are firm believers that booze is for drinking, not decoration. Luckily, this single barrel beverage has much more to offer than good looks. Jimmy Bedford, head distiller, has the arduous task of tasting each barrel and setting aside select barrels that he feels are a cut above the rest. These barrels age for about 8 years before each is drained and and hand-bottled. The aging is apparent when you first open the bottle and the smokey, woody aroma with just a hint of vanilla escapes. We were all in agreement at this point. However, the taste is where we had a difference of opinion.
I like whiskey, actually I really like whiskey and I prefer it with a very bold, slap you in the face flavor. Unfortunately, I am the only one on the BoozeBasher staff that feels this way. Lucky for me, JD Single Barrel has a rich, bold taste. When poured over ice and enjoyed immediately I found the smokey, woody and peppery taste pleasing to my pallet. However, nobody else had much good to say about it. After tasting a few other liquors, I returned to my lonely drink and discovered the flavor to be much improved by the melting of a little ice. I let the other guys try it and we all agreed that cutting it with just a little water seemed to release the subtle corn and caramel flavors. It is still not a smooth as Maker’s Mark, but to me, the difference is made up by the extra flavor of the JD Single Barrel.
The drunkability testing also brought mixed results. The first test was in the midst of a BBQ and resulted in a very sober Kevin. Apparently, grilled meats counteract the effects of alcohol, who knew? The second test was after a particularly frustrating day of work; one drink turned into two, which turned into three and then into a full fledged drunkability test. This time the whiskey turned me into a tipsy, giggling idiot. Honestly, the feeling was similar to the Clear Spring 190 buzz except without all of the yelling. The best part is that I felt great the next morning. There was no indication that I had spent the previous night knocking over or dropping just about anything I had in my hands.
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is a bit pricey at about $50 a bottle. If you are not a whiskey drinker or you prefer it with a more subtle taste, the price is not worth the product. With that said, I thoroughly enjoyed my bottle and will probably keep one on hand for future consumption. If you are big on drinking bold-flavored whiskey and have never tried this liquor, I suggest you pick up a bottle. If you are fanatical about it, you can just buy yourself an entire barrel for the low price of only $8400.
Also check out our review of Jack Old No. 7.
Sipability – 7.5
Mixability – N/A
Drunkability – 7.5
Hangover-ability – 8.5
Bang for the Buck – 5.5
Overall - 8.0 
Comments
WTF, that ass Jack Daniel hordes the good liquor from the poor people and sells it to rich folk!? Someone actually goes around and removes all of the “good” barrels so they dont accidentally fall into the unsuspecting mouths of customers!
If you want a great bourbon try Woodford Reserve. It is far superior to anything from Jack Daniels or Makers Mark. It is much smoother and more refined.
That is ONE F***ing BIG BARRELL
My brother bought a bottle for a special occasion. We had it over ice. My first reaction was “Oh my goodness, this stuff is awesome!” I love this stuff. Its head and shoulders above the black label and gentleman’s versions of JD and my favorite whiskey for sipping.
frankthetank- nearly every distiller goes around and hand picks the best barrels for small batch and single barrel products
This is great sippin’ whiskey. I like to add just a little bit of water to it and just enjoy it. Sometimes I might have a cigar with it too, but thats only on special occasions.
I have never been a hard liquor drinker. I had never actually had whiskey until I had a shot of Four Roses. I was quite impressed and then went to a friend’s house who is a bit of a connisseur of whiskey (simply meaning he has one of almost everything) and had a tasting. Four Roses, Maker’s Mark, Gentleman Jack, Woodford Reserve, some weird Japanese whiskey I can’t remember the name of, and a few others. I really enjoyed all of them and couldn’t believe I liked whiskey so headed to my local liquor store for a bottle of Four Roses, which had turned out to be my favorite.
No dice…the store didn’t stock it. I looked up and saw a bottle of JD single Barrel and decided to give it a whack. I fricken LOVE this stuff and prefer it over Four Roses. I was given complimentary shot glasses at the liquor store but found myself just sipping the JD with a cigar and chasing with an occasional drink of Diet Dr. Pepper.
Fantastic whiskey…even to a newbie’s pallet.
r. timm wtf is wrong with you when it comes to whiskey jack rapes all ecpecially woodford reserve that shit sucks balls
If I were a drunk, I would buy and drink Everclear (straight from the bottle). JD SB is like a perfect woman. There not everywhere, but when you find one, you’ll do anything you can to get it.
ha! we work with the sex slaves.
…and Jack daniels.
GOOD STUFF
My latest bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel came straight from Lynchburg at the Distillery’s gift shop. Apparently, it is also a bottle that you can only buy there. After getting home I cracked her open and wow. It was much better than any other bottle of Single Barrel I had bought previously. It has a bold and nice taste to it. A bit more raw than the Gentleman Jack but then again I expect that since it didn’t get filtered a second time like the Gentleman Jack.
The people at Jack Daniel’s go out of their way to provide the best tasting barrels for the people buying barrels and for their single barrel bottles. I wish I had the 12 grand to buy a barrel.
All in all Single Barrel is great. But like any other whiskey, you are going to get a better tasting bottle here and there. Like that mystical bottle of Old No. 7 that is incredibly sweet and needed no ice or water to really enjoy.
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